Night clubs in the 1920s were intense, and alcohol was their main proponent (2). Attracting adult patrons, night clubs were intended to be a night of fun to simply relax. In nearly every town or city, there was at least one club where locals and passerby would have a good time (2). Night clubs were often the source of illegal smuggling during the Prohibition years, under the guise of a simple music club (2), sometimes employing famous jazz musicians like Duke Ellison. These night clubs were a sight of dancing and live bands. Many famous bands caught their big break at small night clubs, and because of this, the night club was a very important part of the history and popularity of Jazz music along with other styles.
The Cotton Club
Originally called Club DeLux, the Cotton Club is a club located in New York, on 142nd Street and Lenox Avenue (1). In 1923, the original owner, Jack Johnson, a heavyweight boxer, sold the club to a gangster, Owney Madden (1).
Madden, in order to keep with the new name, made the establishment seem like a plantation. He hired black entertainment performers and musicians (1). Musicians like Duke Ellington, Ethel Waters, Cab Calloway, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, and Dorothy Dandridge got the start they needed at the Cotton Club (1). Most of the guests, however, were white, as well as the owners.
The Cotton Club is still open today. For more about the club, you can visit their website here.
Clubs
In General
Night clubs in the 1920s were intense, and alcohol was their main proponent (2). Attracting adult patrons, night clubs were intended to be a night of fun to simply relax. In nearly every town or city, there was at least one club where locals and passerby would have a good time (2). Night clubs were often the source of illegal smuggling during the Prohibition years, under the guise of a simple music club (2), sometimes employing famous jazz musicians like Duke Ellison. These night clubs were a sight of dancing and live bands. Many famous bands caught their big break at small night clubs, and because of this, the night club was a very important part of the history and popularity of Jazz music along with other styles.
The Cotton Club
Originally called Club DeLux, the Cotton Club is a club located in New York, on 142nd
Madden, in order to keep with the new name, made the establishment seem like a plantation. He hired black entertainment performers and musicians (1). Musicians like Duke Ellington, Ethel Waters, Cab Calloway, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, and Dorothy Dandridge got the start they needed at the Cotton Club (1). Most of the guests, however, were white, as well as the owners.
Works Consulted
(1) "About Us." The Cotton Club. The Cotton Club. 7 Mar. 2008 <http://www.cottonclub-newyork.com/about.html>.
(2) Pfeffer, Murray J. "The Wonderful Nightclubs." 7 Mar. 2008 <http://nfo.net/usa/niteclub.htm>.